Lipid Panel, Case Study Example

Cholesterol is necessary to maintain proper body health, but an excess of cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Health care professionals determine whether their patients have abnormal cholesterol levels by determining their lipid profile, which includes their total cholesterol level, LDL level, HDL level, and triglycerides level. Individuals have differing levels of lipids depending on many biological and environmental factors, including their age, gender, hereditary factors, diet, and exercise level. Generally, lipid levels can be controlled by recommending diets low in fat, cholesterol, sugars, and simple carbohydrates. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most desirable total cholesterol levels are those below 200 mg/dL. LDL levels should generally be below 100 mg/dL and HDL levels should be above 60 mg/dL. Lastly, triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL are desirable (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

According to the information provided in the case study, subject 1 has an abnormal level of HDL cholesterol. Since recommended HDL levels are above 60 mg/dL, efforts must be made to increase this value. In addition, his LDL levels are considered high and should be reduced. His triglycerides are also considered to be high. Low HDL cholesterol indicates that this patient is at risk for heart disease (American Heart Association, n.d.). Since the patient has no apparent health problems and is moderately active, this may be due to genetic factors. The high LDL cholesterol levels observed indicates that the patient has a diet high in saturated and trans fats. It is recommended that the patient continues to work out moderately, but change his diet to encompass less saturated and trans fats. If this diet change does not bring the lipid profile to a normal level, he will be recommended to take part in a more strenuous workout.

Subject 2 has a very poor level of HDL cholesterol, and it is recommended that this lipid value be increased to 60 mg/dL. Her LDL cholesterol is borderline high and her triglycerides are high. This patient is at high risk for heart disease because she is over the age of 45 with elevated lipoprotein. It is recommended that she makes serious lifestyle changed including an active lifestyle and modified diet. Furthermore, since her BMI is 29.2, she is overweight, which is an additional risk factor. If the modified diet and exercise helps the patient lose weight, her lipid profile will have promise for returning to normal values overtime. It is recommended that the patient comes in monthly in order to track her progress and to provide information that will assist her with the lifestyle change.

Subject 3 is considered to have an extremely low HDL cholesterol level and very high LDL cholesterol level. However, his triglycerides level is desirable. Therefore, he is at risk for heart disease, although he is not at risk for atherosclerosis due to the normal triglycerides level, unlike subjects 1 and 2. However, this patient has a BMI of 34.0 and is therefore considered obese. Therefore, he will be recommended lifestyle changes, such as a reduced fat diet and enhanced exercise. Due to his weight, he will be provided with cholesterol-lowering medication, such as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Because this patient is at high risk due to age and obesity, he will be asked to come in bimonthly for reevaluation and to determine whether the particular cholesterol-lowering medication provided is effective. If this is not the case, the drug will be replaced with statins or fibric acid derivatives.

References

American Heart Association. (n.d.). What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean_UCM_305562_Article.jsp

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Cholesterol levels: What numbers should you aim for? Retrieved from  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-levels/art-20048245